Smart Molding International 1-2024

41 www.smart-molding.com measuring technologies Pure material, best quality No chance for contamination with inspection and sorting technology from SIKORA. I n 2013 SIKORA launched with the PURITY SCANNER a new type of tech- nology on the market that differed significantly from existing technologies. The development of a system for inspec- tion and sorting of pellets was achieved in close cooperation with partners from the power cable industry. Today, the de- vice is established on the market and helps users during sorting for the high- est quality and sustainability. Particularly in the production of high- voltage cables, it is essential that nometal contamination, which can occur during production, gets into the insulation of the power cables. The aim was then and now to detect and sort out impurities in the plastic pellets. A particular challenge was to detect impurities even if they were melted into the pellet. The PURITY SCANNER’s unique combination of X-ray technology and a flexible optical system laid the foundation for 100 % inspection of plastic pellets already ten years ago. Discolorations and black specks in transparent or on translucent and colored rawmaterials are detected by up to three optical black and white cameras. In addition, the X-ray camera detects metallic contaminants from 50 µm in size in the pellets. The contaminants are then automatically sorted out so that only pure material is processed further. The system has been continuously developed since its introduction. The PURITY SCANNER ADVANCED, the successor to the PURITY SCANNER, has now been successfully established on the market. Depending on the material and requirements, the customer decides how many and which camera types are used. The pellets are conveyed via a wear- free vibrating chute made of stainless steel, which is perfectly encapsulated to create a clean room within the system. The pellets fall evenly down the inspection area via the vibrating chute. This creates optimum conditions for optical inspection from the various camera viewing angles. With the PURITY SCANNER ADVANCED, customers have also the option of adapting the by-catch to the respective application using hybrid blowing. For rarely occurring, larger burns or metal contamination, for example, a larger ejection can be set than for small, light discolorations that are not critical. Thanks to the combination of the highest possible detection and hybrid blowing, the PURITY SCANNER ADVANCED enables material of the highest quality. This further optimizes production processes, and the reduced bycatch contributes to cost-efficient and sustainable production. SIKORA www.sikora.net to try out on a variety of samples and materials. The ThicknessPen offers an innovative approach to portable thickness measurement with its patent pending dual mode design. Developed to address the multiple and diverse thickness measurement applications of the production environment, the ThicknessPen can be used anywhere, from the laboratory, the plant floor or even in a wet environment at a job site in the field. Used with or without a target ball, the ThicknessPen provides a unique advantage and offers versatility not found in any product in this marketplace while still providing the precision necessary for the laboratory and the portability, ruggedness and safety for use on the production floor. Agr measurement and processing experts will be available to discuss these products as well as the complete line of process monitoring and quality control equipment available from Agr for the plastic industry. Agr products are designed to assist container producers, converters and fillers stay competitive while meeting the increased quality demands of today’s changing world. As an industry leader, Agr is committed to providing the plastic container industry with the most technologically advanced products available for quality control and productivity improvement. Agr www.agrintl.com. The pellets are conveyed to the inspection area via a stainless steel vibrating chute (picture: SIKORA)